Roberto Firmino: Liverpool fear nobody

Thursday, March 08, 2018

Carl Markham

Forward Roberto Firmino insists Liverpool are not scared of anyone in the Champions League and do not fear meeting English opposition in the last eight.

The Reds were the first Premier League side to book their spot in the next round with a goalless draw at home to Porto giving them a 5-0 aggregate lead but they could be joined by a host of familiar faces.

But whomever they get in tomorrow week’s quarter-final draw, which is free from geographical or group stage restrictions, will not concern them. “Yes, we’d like a draw against an English club. Why not?” said the Brazil international.

“We have shown in the past few seasons we can beat all the English clubs. Our record is good against them.

“We feel we have played well against the top English clubs and shown we can beat them but but we are not afraid of anyone in the draw.

“We are not concerned who we get. We don’t mind. A top Spanish club? We are not afraid. I don’t think we have anything to fear from any side now.

“If you are in the draw (at this stage) then you cannot be afraid of anyone.

“We feel we can beat any side on our day, and we don’t mind who we get. I think we are a team who will cause problems to others.

“We are a good team, we can play against the big Spanish teams and we feel we can be a match for them. You have to play against the big teams.”

Firmino’s form this season, he has scored 22 goals and also registered numerous assists, guarantees him a place at this summer’s World Cup in Russia.

However, he is focusing on his club football first and would dearly love to win his first trophy with the Reds.

“I want to be part of it and am I happy to be part of the squad but that is a long away ahead,” he added.

“The season is not over, I have my objectives with Liverpool and I want to concentrate on them.

“If I can do well, then that will be important for my position in the (national team) squad.

“There is still a lot to play for. Liverpool want to win a trophy.

“We are all concentrating on that, and that is the aim at this stage. We are doing well in the Premier League and we want that to continue and we are now in the Champions League quarter-final and we want that to continue.”

Meanwhile, Uefa’s investigation into Liverpool youngster Rhian Brewster’s racism allegations against a Spartak Moscow player has failed to find any evidence to corroborate the claim.

European football’s control, ethics and disciplinary body acknowledged the allegation was made in good faith by the 17-year-old but after a number of extensive interviews of players and match officials it came down to Brewster’s word against Spartak captain Leonid Mironov.

Mironov admitted swearing at the England U17 World Cup winner during the Russian club’s 2-0 defeat in the Uefa Youth League match at Prenton Park in December but denied using racist language.

Five players from each side plus the match officials were all questioned about the incident but none could confirm hearing any discriminatory language.